Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon has signed a measure that would require drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) and motorcycle taxis to undergo mandatory testing for illegal drugs, alcohol, and other intoxicating substances as a measure to curb road accidents.

During a press briefing on Monday, May 5, Dizon said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered him him to seek justice for victims of the recent crash along Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

Last week, a speeding Pangasinan Solid North Transit Inc. (PSNTI) bus plowed into four vehicles near the exit toll plaza of SCTEX along Tarlac City. The incident left 10 dead and 37 injured.

Dizon said he was particularly irate after hearing reports that the driver, who reportedly dozed off when the crash happened, did not initially want to go through drug testing.

“Wala po siyang choice. Hindi ka pwedeng hindi pumayag. Nakapatay ka ng sampung tao, hindi ka papayag magpa-drug test, pwede ba ‘yun?” asked Dizon 

(He doesn't have a choice. You can't just refuse. You killed ten people, and you won't agree to a drug test, how is that even acceptable?)

The driver, currently under police custody, has since tested negative after taking a drug test.

Under Department Order (DO) No. 2025-008, the mandatory testing will apply to operators, owners, and drivers of PUVs and motorcycle taxis.

The testing cost must be shouldered by the operator or owner of the vehicles, without being deducted from the salary of the driver taking the test.

The operator or owner are required to test the driver’s alcohol concentration level using a breath analyzer before employment, dispatch, deployment, or driving the vehicle itself. 

A blood alcohol consumption (BAC) of more than 0.0 percent shall be “conclusive proof” that the driver is under the influence of alcohol.

A drug screening test, on the other hand, are required to take place every six months starting from the date of employment, as well as periodic random testing.

Drivers are required to carry the results of these tests at all times while operating their vehicles. 

Failure of the owner or operator to do any of its obligations will have their certificate of public convenience, provisional authority, or special permit cancelled.

The driver, meanwhile, will have their driver’s license revoked by the LTO (Land Transportation Office).

Dizon said the government agencies while will oversee the directive include the DOTR, LTO, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), and Department of Health (DOH).

The DOTr chief said they will find a way to make this efficient and foolproof from drivers who want to evade the mandatory drug testing.

Additionally, Dizon has directed the LTFRB and LTO to reduce the number of consecutive hours a PUV driver can traverse their route without breaks, from six hours to four.

For trips longer than four hours, bus companies are now mandated to provide relievers for the driver, instead of just the conductor.

Over the weekend, PSNTI announced that it has halted the operations of its 278 buses after an earlier order from the DOTr. 

The LTFRB has issued special permits to tap other provincial buses to take over the routes of PSNTI to continue serving commuters. 

Further, the DOTr said it will file civil cases against the company, aside from the criminal charges.

“This means, we will demand compensation over and above the usual TPL (third-party liability) insurance,” said Dizon.